JPH11326675A - Optical fiber connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the infiltration of moisture, dust and air bubbles into a self-aligning mechanism and a refractive index matching agent disposed therein and to stably obtain desired connection loss with an optical fiber connector for positioning, self-aligning and abutting and connecting of optical fibers, held between elements of two split structures by the self-aligning mechanism in the central part of these elements. SOLUTION: This optical fiber connector 1 is provided with a refractive index matching agent 67 over a wide range on the circumference the self- aligning mechanism 55a for preventing the influence of the moisture, dust and air bubbles on the self-aligning mechanism 55a by detaining the infiltration thereof at the end or edge of the refractive index matching agent 67. The refractive index matching agent 67 is made to arrive at recesses 55b formed midway of the self-aligning mechanism 55a for introducing the optical fibers 54a to the projecting wall 68 which is disposed at the side part of the self-aligning mechanism 55a and the self-aligning mechanism 55a for sealing these recesses 55b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector for butt-connecting optical fibers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, Japanese Patent Application No. 7-3132 discloses an optical fiber connector for butt-connecting optical fibers.
47 etc. have been proposed. An optical fiber connector of this type is an element having a split structure in which longitudinal directions are aligned with each other and urged in the approaching direction by a clamp spring having a C-shaped cross section or a U-shape mounted on the outside. The optical fiber inserted from both sides in the longitudinal direction of the element is clamped between the elements by the clamping force of the clamp spring, and the one or both of the abutting surfaces of the element abutting on each other. Optical fibers that are positioned and aligned by an alignment groove extending along the longitudinal direction of the element are butt-connected. Also, if a wedge-shaped opening member is pressed into the split boundary of the element and the element is pushed and opened against the clamping force of the clamp spring, the optical fiber can be inserted into and pulled out of the element. Fiber connection switching can be easily performed.
It is common to provide a refractive index matching agent in the centering groove to obtain a desired low connection loss between butt-connected optical fibers. The refractive index matching agent is generally provided only in the centering groove, particularly near the connection point where the optical fibers are butt-connected.

[0003]

By the way, in the above-mentioned optical fiber connector, when an environmental test (heat cycle test, temperature / humidity cycle test, etc.) is performed, the refractive index matching agent has fine particles such as moisture, air bubbles and dust. It may involve garbage,
This causes a problem that the connection loss increases. In addition, when the element is opened and closed using the opening member, resin scum is generally generated from the element made of resin, and this may be mixed with the refractive index matching agent, thereby causing an increase in connection loss. However, there has never been an appropriate measure for preventing the refractive index matching agent from entraining moisture, air bubbles, dust, and the like, and development of an appropriate technique capable of reliably preventing such inconvenience has been demanded. In addition, for example, measures such as sealing the outside of the element with silicon rubber or the like can be considered. However, it is troublesome to perform sealing work on a small-sized element (about ten and several mm in length). At the time of connection switching, since the sealing agent is removed and resealed, the workability is greatly reduced, and the problem is not fundamentally solved. Japanese Patent Application No. 7-313247 is an optical fiber connector applied to a multi-core optical fiber ribbon.
The problem is not only the multi-fiber optical fiber connector,
In the case of an optical fiber connector having an openable / closable element having a split structure, the same problem occurs in a single-core optical fiber connector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in an optical fiber connector of a type in which a pair of optical fibers is butt-connected and sandwiched between elements having a split structure, light inserted between the elements is provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide an alignment mechanism that aligns and aligns fibers so that they can be butt-connected, and an optical fiber connector that can reliably prevent moisture, bubbles, dust, and the like from being entrained in a refractive index matching agent provided in the vicinity thereof. And

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an element having a split structure which is arranged in the same longitudinal direction and is urged in the approaching direction by a clamp spring mounted on the outside. An optical fiber connection for holding an optical fiber inserted from both sides in the longitudinal direction of the element between the elements and abutting and connecting optical fibers positioned and aligned by an alignment mechanism at a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the element. Wherein the centering mechanism and a refractive index matching agent provided around the centering mechanism are formed in an opening at a separation boundary separated into two parts of the element, and press between the elements against the clamping force of the clamp spring. An opening member insertion groove into which a wedge-shaped opening member for expanding and opening is inserted, and an alignment groove for guiding an optical fiber inserted from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the element to the alignment mechanism are reached. The optical fiber connector, wherein the door has a solution of the above problems. In the present invention, moisture or dust that is going to enter the inside of the element, the opening member insertion groove,
It is trapped by the index matching agent that has reached the alignment groove that guides the optical fiber to the alignment mechanism. Since the refractive index matching agent has viscosity, trapped moisture, dust, and the like remain in the opening member insertion groove and the alignment groove, and do not reach the refractive index matching agent provided in the alignment mechanism. . In addition, the refractive index matching agent tends to entrap air bubbles at its ends and edges, but the entrainment of air bubbles is limited to the ends and edges of the centering mechanism, and the refractive index matching agent near the centering mechanism. Is not involved. For this reason, in the centering mechanism, adverse effects of moisture, dust, air bubbles, and the like are prevented, and a desired connection loss can be stably obtained between optical fibers that are butt-connected. Further, when the refractive index matching agent is provided over a wide range of contact surfaces of the elements that are in contact with each other, the coefficient of friction between the contact surfaces is reduced, and the opening and closing of the element becomes smooth. The effect is also obtained.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an element having a split structure which is arranged in the same longitudinal direction and is urged in the approaching direction by a clamp spring mounted on the outside. An optical fiber connector for holding an optical fiber inserted from both sides in the longitudinal direction between the elements and butt-connecting the optical fibers positioned and aligned by an alignment mechanism at a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the element, wherein A projecting wall extending to the side along the centering mechanism is projected from one or both abutting surfaces of the element, and a refractive index provided in the centering mechanism and the vicinity thereof. An optical fiber connector characterized in that a matching agent has also reached the protruding wall and the vicinity thereof is a means for solving the problem. According to the present invention, the projection wall prevents moisture, dust, and the like from being mixed into the centering mechanism and the refractive matching agent provided therein. Further, the vicinity of the protruding wall is sealed by the refractive index matching agent that has reached the protruding wall and the vicinity thereof, so that invasion of moisture, dust, and the like from the protruding wall to the inside of the element can be reliably prevented.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an element having a split structure which is arranged in the same longitudinal direction and is urged in the approaching direction by a clamp spring mounted on the outside. An optical fiber connector for holding an optical fiber inserted from both sides in the longitudinal direction between the elements and butt-connecting the optical fibers positioned and aligned by an alignment mechanism at a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the element, wherein In the middle of the alignment groove for guiding the optical fiber inserted from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the element to the alignment mechanism, a recess having a concave shape is formed so as to divide the alignment groove, and the alignment mechanism and An optical fiber connector is characterized in that a part of the refractive index matching agent provided in the vicinity thereof is stored in the recess. According to the present invention, the refractive index matching agent stored in the recess can capture moisture, dust, and the like that intrude from the end of the alignment groove. Intrusion into the mechanism can be prevented. Alignment grooves are formed on both sides of the alignment mechanism. The recess is formed in both or one of the alignment grooves on both sides of the alignment mechanism.

The centering mechanism of the invention described in each of the claims is for precisely positioning an optical fiber.
Various configurations such as a centering groove such as a groove, a microcapillary, and a mechanism for holding an optical fiber on three or more precision balls or precision rods can be adopted. The inventions described in claims 1, 2, and 3 can be applied to the same optical fiber connector by combining any two or all three.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an optical fiber connector 1 of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the optical fiber connector 1, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing a connection state between optical fibers 54 in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 50 denotes an element clamped and held in a U-shaped clamp spring 64, 51 denotes a base, and 52 denotes a lid. As shown in FIG. 1, the element 50 is in the shape of a two-piece rod having a rectangular cross section, and includes a base 51 and a lid 52 both formed in an elongated shape.

As shown in FIG. 2, a lid 52 of a base 51 is provided.
The contact surface 53 on which the optical fibers 54 are superimposed is formed of a V-groove or a U-groove for positioning and aligning the optical fibers 54, which are multi-core optical fiber ribbons such as 4-core and 8-core, so that they can be connected to each other. A core groove 55 is formed extending along the longitudinal direction of the element 50. More specifically, the alignment groove 55 is for positioning and aligning a plurality of bare fibers 54a exposed at the ends of the optical fiber 54, which is an optical fiber ribbon, so that they can be butt-connected. (4 in Fig. 2)
They are formed in parallel. The optical fibers 5 inserted from both ends of the element 50 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of each alignment groove 55.
Optical fiber guide grooves 56 for receiving the four ends of the bare fibers 54a are formed. Alignment connection 55a
Is an alignment mechanism for precisely positioning and aligning the bare fiber 54a having a diameter of about several tens of μm. Optical fiber guide groove 56
Since the centering accuracy is lower than that of the centering connection portion 55a, it is easy to insert the bare fiber 54a, and the centering connection portion 55 is smoothly inserted by inserting the bare fiber 54a from here.
a can be reached. Optical fiber guide groove 56
The alignment groove 55 extending from the optical fiber to the alignment connection portion 55a is provided with an optical fiber (bare fiber 5) inserted from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the element 50.
4a) is led to the alignment connection 55a.

The centering connection portion 55 of the optical fiber guide groove 56
A pair of guide walls 57 integrally formed on a resin base 51 are provided on both sides of the end on the side a. These guide walls 57 are tapered (the taper is very small and not shown) so that the distance between the guide walls 57 gradually decreases toward the alignment connection portion 55a. These guide walls 57 are accommodated in guide wall accommodating recesses 58a formed on the contact surface 58 (see FIG. 3) on the lid 52 side when the lid 52 is overlaid on the base 51, and
The function of positioning the lid 52 with respect to the position 1 is achieved. The alignment groove 55 in the vicinity of the guide wall 57 is tapered so that the alignment accuracy gradually increases toward the alignment connection portion 55a. Alignment grooves 5 on both sides of alignment connection 55a
5, that is, in the centering groove 55 located in the middle between the centering connection portion 55a and the optical fiber guide groove 56, a concave portion 55b having a concave shape so as to divide the centering groove 55 is formed. ing. Also, the base 51 of the optical fiber guide groove 56
The introduction end 62 opening at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the
The optical fiber 54 is inclined so that the depth from the contact surface 53 increases toward the outside of the device 1 so that the optical fiber 54 can be easily inserted even when the element 50 is integrated.

On one side of the element 50 in the width direction (the direction of arrow C in FIG. 2), an engaging concave portion 59 protruding from one of the base 51 and the lid 52 and an engaging convex portion protruding from the other. 60
Are engaged. An opening member insertion groove 61 into which the opening member 63 is inserted is formed on the other side in the width direction of the element 50. The opening member insertion groove 61 is
When the insertion distal end 63a of the opening member 63 is inserted, the space between the base 51 and the lid 52 is opened. At this time, base 5
The lid 1 and the lid 52 are opened so that the engaging concave portion 59 and the engaging convex portion 60 engaged with each other function as a hinge and rotate relative to each other.

The base 51 is located near the centering connection portion 55a.
A protruding wall 68 protruding from the contact surface 53 extends along the alignment groove 55. As shown in FIG. 4, the protruding wall 68 is provided on the lid 52 (specifically, the central lid 52b).
Is formed. Pier 6
8 prevents moisture, dust, and the like from entering the centering connection portion 55a from the other side in the width direction of the element 50. Incidentally, the engaging concave portion 59 and the engaging convex portion 60 also function to prevent moisture and dust from entering the aligning connection portion 55a from one side in the width direction of the element 50. 55a
Is formed by a protruding wall 68, an engagement concave portion 59, and an engagement convex portion 60.
Intrusion of moisture and dust from both sides is prevented. In the present embodiment, the protruding wall 68 is formed from the centering connection portion 55a.
Although it is formed only on the other side in the width direction of the element 50, it may be formed so as to face both sides in the width direction of the element 50.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
The lid 52 is sandwiched between the flange portions 65 on both sides of the U-shaped clamp spring 64 to maintain the integrated state. The lid 52 is a three-piece body composed of two end lids 52a and one central lid 52b corresponding to the slits 66 formed in the flange portions 65 on both sides of the clamp spring 64. The clamp force of each part of the clamp spring 64 divided by the slit 66 acts on the two end lids 52a and the central lid 52b individually.

As shown in FIG. 2, the refractive index matching agent 67 is applied to the centering connection portion 55a and the periphery thereof by coating, injection or the like.
Is provided. The refractive index matching agent 67 reaches the vicinity of the optical fiber guide groove 56, the engagement concave portion 59 and the engagement protrusion 60, the opening member insertion groove 61 located near the alignment connection portion 55 a, and the protrusion wall 68. A part of the refractive index matching agent 67 reaching the vicinity of the optical fiber guide groove 56 is
It is stored in a recess 55b formed in the centering groove 55 on both sides of 5a. Moisture, dust, and the like that try to enter the central portion of the element 50 along the optical fiber guide groove 56 are captured by the refractive index matching agent 67 stored in the concave portion 55b, and are aligned.
a is prevented from entering. Since the refractive index matching agent 67 provided in the element 50 has viscosity, the element 5
However, since the refractive index matching agent 67 stored in the recess 55b is not affected by the opening and closing of the element 50, moisture and dust can be reliably captured at all times. .

As shown in FIG. 4, the refractive index matching agent 67 reaching the protruding wall 68 wraps around between the protruding wall 68 and the protruding wall storage recess 69, and It is preferable to seal between the recess 69. As a result, moisture, dust, and the like that try to enter the element 50 from between the protruding wall 68 and the protruding wall storage recess 69 are removed by the refractive index matching agent 67 that seals the element 50.
As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent moisture, dust, and the like from entering the alignment connection portion 55a as compared with the case where the refractive index matching agent 67 is not allowed to reach.

It is preferable that the gap between the engaging concave portion 59 and the engaging convex portion 60 is also sealed by the refractive index matching agent 67 which has reached here, so that moisture, dust and the like can enter the element 50. Can be more reliably prevented. Also,
The refractive index matching agent 67 that has reached the engaging concave portions 59 and the engaging convex portions 60 captures resin scum generated between the engaging concave portions 59 and the engaging convex portions 60 when the element 50 is opened and closed, and adjusts the refractive index. Heart groove 5
5 also serves to prevent intrusion.

As shown in FIG. 2, the refractive index matching agent 67 reaching the opening member insertion groove 61 near the centering connection portion 55a.
Prevents water, dust and the like from the opening member insertion groove 61 from catching into the element 50. Moreover,
The refractive index matching agent 67 also plays a role of capturing resin scum generated when the opening member 63 is inserted into and removed from the opening member insertion groove 61 and preventing the resin scum from entering the inside of the element 50.

At the end of the refractive index matching agent 67, air bubbles may be entrained in addition to moisture, dust, and the like. If provided over a wide range including the water, dust, air bubbles, and the like, which are trapped, remain in the refractive index matching agent 67 apart from the centering connection portion 55a, and are prevented from entering the centering connection portion 55a, There is no concern that the connection loss between the optical fibers (bare fiber 54a) connected at the centering connection portion 55a will be adversely affected, and the intended connection loss can be reliably obtained.

To butt connect the optical fibers 54 with each other using the optical fiber connector 1, first, the open member 63 is inserted into the open member insertion groove 61 to maintain the open state of the element 50. The bare fiber 54a exposed at the tip of the optical fiber 54 is connected to the introduction ends 6 at both ends of the element 50.
2 are inserted along the optical fiber guide grooves 56 to reach the alignment connection portion 55a, and the bare fibers 54a inserted from both sides are butt-connected. As shown in FIG. 3, the coating portion 54b of the optical fiber 54
When the bare fiber 54a is inserted into the centering connection portion 55a for a predetermined length, the bare fiber 54a rides on the optical fiber guide groove 56. In addition, if there is a primary covering portion for individually covering each bare fiber 54a between the bare fiber 54a at the tip of the optical fiber 54 and the covering portion 54b, the primary covering portion is inserted into the optical fiber guide groove 56. Housed inside.

When the connection between the two optical fibers 54 is completed, the open member 63 is pulled out from the open member insertion groove 61 while pressing the two optical fibers 54 to secure the butt force. Thereby, the covering portion 54b of the optical fibers 54, 54 is moved by the clamping force of the clamp spring 64, and
1 and the end cover 52a, and the bare fiber 5 is clamped.
4a is clamped between the center lid 52b and the base 51, and the butt connection state of the bare fibers 54a is maintained. Further, the release member 6 is again inserted into the release member insertion groove 61.
3 can be pulled out to open the space between the base 51 and the lid 52, the optical fiber 54 can be pulled out of the element 50, and then another optical fiber 54 can be inserted into the element 50, According to the above procedure, connection switching can be easily performed.

When the optical fibers 54 are connected or disconnected, the refractive index matching agent 67 in the alignment groove 55 is deformed. However, in any case, the refractive index stored in the recess 55b. The rate matching agent 67 maintains a state in which the center of the alignment groove 55 is sealed, and can prevent moisture, dust, and air bubbles from entering the alignment connection portion 55a. Even when the element 50 is opened and closed, when the element 50 is closed, the opening member insertion groove 61 located near the optical fiber guide groove 56, the engagement recess 59 and the engagement protrusion 60, and the alignment connection section 55 a, Since the refractive index matching agent 67 reaching the protruding wall 68 prevents moisture, dust, bubbles, and the like from entering the alignment connection portion 55a, the bare fibers 54a butt-connected at the alignment connection portion 55a are connected. Thus, a desired connection loss can be reliably obtained.

Further, as described above, the refractive index matching agent 67 provided over a wide range between the contact surfaces 53 and 58 of the element 50, which are in contact with each other, plays a role of smoothly opening and closing the element 50. For example, if the base 51, the end cover 52a, and the center cover 52b have different coefficients of linear expansion with respect to temperature change due to a difference in material, etc.
Smoothing the relative displacement between the constituent members of the optical fiber 54 to prevent the occurrence of unnecessary distortion,
The alignment accuracy of the (bare fiber 54a) is maintained. That is, in the element 50 having the optical fiber 54 interposed therebetween, it is normal that a slight gap is formed between the base 51 and the end cover 52a and the center cover 52b. If there is a difference in the coefficient of linear expansion between the end cover 52a and the center cover 52b, the distortion generated in the element 50 is
Acting as a shearing force of the optical fiber 54 sandwiched between the elements 50, the bare fiber 54a may be damaged or the bare fiber 54a may be damaged.
There is a concern that the stress applied to the optical fiber connector a may adversely affect the connection loss. However, in this optical fiber connector 1, the refractive index matching agent 67 plays a role of a lubricant.
1. The relative displacement between the end cover 52a and the center cover 52b is smooth, and the element 50 is not distorted.
4 is prevented from acting on the bare fiber 54.
The connection loss between a can be stably maintained. An element 50 made of plastic or the like, and a bare fiber 54a made of glass
There is also a difference in the coefficient of linear expansion between them, but the refractive index matching agent 67 acts as a lubricant between the element 50 and the bare fiber 54a, so that a shear force is generated in the bare fiber 54a. Can be prevented, the optical characteristics of the bare fiber 54a,
The connection loss between the butt-connected bare fibers 54a can be stably maintained.

The optical fiber connector according to the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various configurations such as a configuration in which the elements are clamped and held by a C-shaped spring in an integrated state can be adopted. It is. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the optical fiber connector 1 in which the alignment groove 55 is formed only in the base 51 is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the alignment is performed only on the lid side or on both the base side and the lid side. A configuration in which a groove is formed can also be adopted. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the optical fiber connector 1 corresponding to the multi-core optical fiber is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the optical fiber connector corresponding to the butt connection of the single-core optical fibers is used. Is also applicable. In addition, even with a multi-core optical fiber connector, the number of optical fibers to be processed is not limited to four as described in the above embodiment, and a centering mechanism that can employ a number other than four is also possible. Are not limited to alignment grooves such as V-grooves and U-grooves. For example, a microcapillary, a mechanism for supporting an optical fiber on three or more precision balls or precision rods, etc.
Various configurations can be employed.

[0025]

According to the optical fiber connector of the present invention, moisture, dust, bubbles, etc. are removed from the centering mechanism by the refractive index matching agent provided in the element over a wide range including the centering mechanism. Since it is held in the separated refractive index matching agent and can be prevented from entering the refractive index matching agent of the centering mechanism, the desired connection loss can be reliably obtained between the optical fibers butt-connected by the centering mechanism, and The connection loss can be stably maintained for a long period of time. The contaminants such as resin scum generated during opening and closing of the element are also captured by the refractive index matching agent, so that the contaminants are kept in the vicinity of the generation location and can be prevented from entering the alignment mechanism. Furthermore, since the refractive index matching agent functions as a lubricant in the element, even if there is a difference in the coefficient of linear expansion between the constituent members of the element or between the element and the optical fiber, the shear force is applied to the optical fiber. And the like, and an excellent effect that the optical characteristics of the optical fibers and the connection loss between the optical fibers can be stably maintained for a long period of time is exhibited.

According to the optical fiber connector of the present invention, water, dust and the like are provided on the centering mechanism and the projection by the projecting wall extending along the centering mechanism. Intrusion into the provided refractive index matching agent is prevented. Further, the vicinity of the protruding wall is sealed by the refractive index matching agent that has reached the protruding wall and the vicinity thereof, so that invasion of moisture, dust, and the like from the vicinity of the protruding wall to the inside of the element can be more reliably prevented. Bubbles entrained by the refractive index matching agent near the protruding wall are also retained near the protruding wall. As a result, a desired connection loss can be reliably obtained between the optical fibers butt-connected by the alignment mechanism, and
An excellent effect that the connection loss can be stably maintained is exhibited.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the centering groove is formed by the refractive index matching agent stored in the concave portion formed so as to divide the centering groove on both sides or one side of the centering mechanism. Water, dust, and the like that have entered from the end portion can be captured, and it is possible to prevent such moisture, dust, and the like from entering the alignment mechanism. Bubbles entrained by the refractive index matching agent in the recess are also retained near the recess. As a result, an excellent effect is obtained such that a desired connection loss can be reliably obtained between optical fibers butt-connected by the centering mechanism, and the connection loss can be stably maintained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an embodiment of an optical fiber connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the optical fiber connector of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of the optical fiber connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of a projecting wall of the optical fiber connector of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical fiber connector, 50 ... Element, 53, 58 ... Contact surface, 54 ... Optical fiber (multi-core optical fiber tape core),
54a: optical fiber (bare fiber), 55: alignment groove, 5
5a: Alignment mechanism (alignment connection), 55b: Recess, 61 ...
Opening member insertion groove, 63: Opening member, 64: Clamp spring (U-shaped spring), 67: Refractive index matching agent, 68: Projecting wall.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A halved element (50) which is arranged in the longitudinal direction of each other and is urged in the direction of approaching each other by a clamp spring (64) mounted on the outside. The optical fibers (54) inserted from both sides in the longitudinal direction are sandwiched between the elements, and the optical fibers (54a) positioned and aligned by the alignment mechanism (55a) at the center in the longitudinal direction of the elements are butt-connected. An optical fiber connector (1), wherein the centering mechanism and a refractive index matching agent (67) provided around the centering mechanism are formed in an opening at a separation boundary where the element is separated into two parts, and a clamp of the clamp spring is provided. A wedge-shaped opening member (6) for pushing out and opening between the elements against the force
3) reaching the opening member insertion groove (61) into which the optical fiber is inserted and the alignment groove (55) for guiding the optical fiber inserted from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the element to the alignment mechanism. Optical fiber connector (1). 2. A split structure element (50) which is arranged in the longitudinal direction of each other and urged in the direction of approaching each other by a clamp spring (64) mounted on the outside. The optical fibers (54) inserted from both sides in the longitudinal direction are sandwiched between the elements, and the optical fibers (54a) positioned and aligned by the alignment mechanism (55a) at the center in the longitudinal direction of the elements are butt-connected. An optical fiber connector (1), comprising a projecting wall (68) extending to a side thereof along the alignment mechanism.
Are projected from one or both abutting surfaces (53, 58) of the element, and the centering mechanism and a refractive index matching agent (67) provided in the vicinity of the centering mechanism are attached to the projecting wall. And an optical fiber connector (1), which also reaches the vicinity thereof. 3. An element (50) having a split structure, which is arranged in the longitudinal direction of each other and urged in the direction of approaching each other by a clamp spring (64) mounted on the outside. The optical fibers (54) inserted from both sides in the longitudinal direction are sandwiched between the elements, and the optical fibers (54a) positioned and aligned by the alignment mechanism (55a) at the center in the longitudinal direction of the elements are butt-connected. An optical fiber connector (1), wherein the aligning groove is divided in the middle of an aligning groove (55) for guiding an optical fiber inserted from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the element to the aligning mechanism. A recess (55b) having a concave shape is formed, and a part of the centering mechanism and a refractive index matching agent provided in the vicinity thereof are stored in the recess. Optical fiber connector (1).